fleece

[ flees ]

noun

1. the coat of wool that covers a sheep or a similar animal.
2. the wool shorn from a sheep at one shearing.
3. something resembling a fleece:

   a fleece of clouds in a blue sky.

4. a fabric with a soft, silky pile, used for warmth, as for lining garments.
5. the soft nap or pile of such a fabric.

verb (used with object)

, fleeced, fleec·ing.

1. to deprive of money or belongings by fraud, hoax, or the like; swindle:

   He fleeced the stranger of several dollars.

2. to remove the fleece of (a sheep).
3. to overspread, as with a fleece; fleck with fleecelike masses:

   a host of clouds fleecing the summer sky.

fleece

/ fliːs /

noun

1. the coat of wool that covers the body of a sheep or similar animal and consists of a mass of crinkly hairs
2. the wool removed from a single sheep
3. something resembling a fleece in texture or warmth
4. sheepskin or a fabric with soft pile, used as a lining for coats, etc
5. a warm polyester fabric with a brushed nap, used for outdoor garments
6. a jacket or top made from such a fabric

verb

1. to defraud or charge exorbitantly; swindle
2. another term for shear

Other Words From

• fleecea·ble adjective
• fleeceless adjective
• fleecelike adjective
• fleecer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fleece¹

before 1000; Middle English flees, Old English flēos, flȳs; cognate with Middle Dutch vlies, Middle High German vlius, German Vlies

Word History and Origins

Origin of fleece¹

Old English flēos ; related to Middle High German vlius , Dutch vlies fleece, Latin plūma feather, down

Example Sentences

Kayden's mum, Zoey, said he had had to hand over his favourite fleece to police as evidence so she set up the appeal to replace it and “put the smile back on Kayden’s face”.

From BBC

His throne is fully reclined and draped in a fleece Raiders blanket.

From Los Angeles Times

Youngkin, despite his genial manner and fleece vests, has proven to be a full-on Trump loyalist.

From Salon

The woman directly across from me had a fleece blanket draped over her.

From Slate

Plastic bottle recycling can help—instead of going out with the trash, plastic bottles can be turned into items like carpeting or cozy fleece clothing.

From National Geographic Kids

Related Words

• cheat
• defraud
• gouge
• overcharge
• swindle